All About The Naviagtion

Having chosen a sort list final design with my client. I still felt that some alterations needed to be done, especially with the navigation to make the website more interactive. So I had the idea of using a miniature camera that pops out for the words that aren't visible to make the audience want to explore the site. Also it will fit it with the idea I have for my banner (animated camera and tripod). All of the mock ups have helped me come to the final stages of the mock-ups. The two favourites are version 1 and 5 but we have decided to go with 5 because it won't be cluttered and leaves room to experiment with flash animation in the banner.

Original badge that sparked off the idea

A drawing to simplify the lines

Bright, bold easily attracts the audience

Version 1:

• Red makes the lettering stand out. Also in the Indian culture it symbolises luck and prosperity.
• Simple navigation arrows that will move with the words to match the navigation.
• Red border to match the rest of the website.

Version 2:

• Orange lettering for a softer look.
• Simple navigation where the sections of the gallery are laid out straight away, changing colour with the page you are on.

Version 3:

• To make the design more unique I have designed miniature cameras to go at the end of the words instead of arrows. People will automatically realise it's more photos and that they are in the gallery as soon as they enter the website.
• Small icons. Are they big enough?

Version 4:

• Bigger more intricate camera. does it clutter the website and take away focus form the title and photos?

Version 5:

• Red attracts the eye. The clients prefers the red as it is bolder than the orange.
• We both like the cameras as naviagtion but I am planning to to a flash banner with a camera and tripod so it will probably make it look to cluttered and take away focus from teh photos and title.

Photography Website Mock-ups

I thought I'd compare and black against a white version. To see what background makes the photography stand out. At the moment I like the black background more because it make the photo 'pop' more. I am going to have a word with the client to see where she wants to take it.

No matter what colour scheme I choose I need to change the font and overall logo design. I think It is going to be a very important part of the website to inform people about her photography and who she is. Also I could play on the title and do a little animation so it doesn't take away any emphasis from the banner . Maybe of a camera and tripod chasing each other?

I see her colours being black, white and red for a sophisicated, passionate representation of her.

The Coffee Shop Photoshoot

I borrowed my friends Nikon D-70 camera and with her help took some photos that reflect what the coffee shop offers, how it is unique what the environments for and who it attracts. The shoot was about establishing how I felt about the space therefore how I can successfully and uniquely convert it into a website. Below are a few of my favourite images that I think stand how what the coffee shop is about relaxed, friendly and creative.

Before I did this photo shot I wrote down a few things that I feel make up the place-

• Homemade food
• Friendly atmosphere
• Creative, friendly staff
• Mixture of customers
• Individualistic

I though this would be a suitable image to let people know opening times.

I like the expressions of the 'happy' flapjacks, it is one of their unique homemade products.

I could possibly use this as a link or it can attract people to a menu/price page.

I think this image works really well because the heart is the focus of the image whilst the background is blurred to suggest a atmosphere of care.

Tasty food will draw the customers in.

Specialty coffee will attract coffee connoisseurs.

An image of a person enjoying the coffee will make it more believable.

Umm tasty, colourful cupcakes to attract all ages

Changing Ideas

After my review I realised I was making my ideas too complicated for the time scale that I have to work with so to support my idea of people around you changing/adding to my identity I have created an interview situation. It is basically a question and answer game where you choose the picture and comment of a person who you think is most valid to my identity. 

For example a comment like "Gayr's first memory is..." might add more to my identity than "Gayr lives in Nottingham." The aim of the game is to reach the end of the game and get as many clues about me as possible.

Initial sketches

Images I will use but I need to add text in flash. Each person in the game I know well so it will show how they have influenced me as a person.

How objects say who you are....

This is a composition of how objects express who I am by bringing back memories, my flaws, who is important to me and what places I hold close to my heart. I choose a  family holiday photo (on holiday) when I was little but I have only used part of the photo. I chose to use the water as it was when my Grandad taught me how to swim. My flaws are represented by the broken shell necklace because it was an object I bought when I was travelling last year. To me that necklace reminds me about how I learnt about who I really am through experiencing life on my own 2 feet. The paint brush and paint are very important to be because they have been objects that I have enjoyed using to express my self ever since I can remember. I put in a life drawing to connect my passion to the community that we life in as that is part of my identity therefore life drawing is an observation of that identity.